About Me

Jenn Shagrin

Vegan Gastronomy Connoisseur [chef], Actress, Producer, Writer and Professional Bad Ass.
I am extremely gay, and also (need it be said) one sexy beast, and so is my partner, the best, most ass-kicking talented artist/photographer, the Notorious Tia Litz*

Because I pride myself on my tech suaveness (aka e-stalking) abilities, I will hunt you down and force you to listen to the "Lambchops Playalong" theme song on repeat tied to a chair in a dark room for a week straight, if you don't check out her awesome art and show some love :) Linkies!! :

I am the author of the cookbook "Veganize This", and the Vegan Recipe blog "Veganize It...Don't Criticize It".
Yes, you probably have seen me on tv once or twice on something like Reno 911! or playing a 14 year old on Passions.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

This is not a recipe post, per se. It's more of a call to arms for all my of my readership to lend me their 2 cents.

You see, my lifelong dream, aside from an all-you-can eat vegan buffet in my living room, has been to open my own restaurant. Sure, I'd want it to be chock-full of my crazy, gourmet recipes...but let's be frank: it may not be the most cost effective way for me to start a business.

Lucky for me, my business savvy (and uber sexy) wife-to-be and myself have decided to pool our efforts and start our own small restaurant. Nothing fancy. Bare bones. Think if In N Out burger were vegan. We want to keep it simple, but more importantly, keep it delicious.

I've spent the past few days toying around with creating the best vegan burger (and cheeze burger) known to man, and I think I finally have a winner. I've posted the picture above, and if it causes an ounce of drool to slowly drip down your chin, please let me know.

This burger is sandwiched between two grilled buns, is a home-made "beefy" patty slathered with my own Daiya Cheddar cheese sauce creation, then topped with grilled red onions, tomatoes, red leaf lettuce, my home-made vegan ranch and a lot of my soul.

So what else is up with life? Well, it's been quite a roller coaster the past week. Personal circumstances (aka borderline insanity) forced an abrupt departure from my newly acquired 9-5. Did you all expect it to really last that long? Come on...you should know me better by now. If I can't make a living doing the freelance thing, I don't want to make a living at all. I'd rather cry home to mommy and daddy and hope that they understand that I'm a unique flower not meant for the daily toil of the rat race.

In really unusual news, Jane and I entered into one of those mall lottery contests. You know what I mean...there's some giant plastic bin containing a purse full of cash, and you drop your name in the box. I thought I had a better chance at being hit by a bus, but to my surprise, we won! We get to go spin some prize wheel tonight, our lowest prize being an all-expense payed trip to Vegas, the highest prize being $100,000. I suppose it's not that hard to guess what we're rooting for. 100 fucking Gs would allow my freelance life to continue, and help get our new business venture off the ground.

We're off to SF this weekend to meet my amazing publisher at Da Capo press, and I couldn't be more excited for the next few days. I'll post a new recipe soon. I promise. But in the mean time, don't be shy about burger comments. I am ready to jump into action, and I trust y'all to let me know what's up.

That burger is definitely drool-worthy. I also really like the concept of your restaurant. My partner is always saying that he thinks vegans could take over the world if they would only sell some more "convenience" food. Best of luck!!

It does look pretty fan friggin tastic, but if it's seitan based, I might be a little shy of it. I'm not GF, but I do try to be and I know a lot of vegans are leaning that way now. Although either way I'd take a chunk out of my computer screen to get to it if I could.

Jeers about the job-loss (although I know what you mean about freelance, loosing my job last summer was a really good thing for me health and happiness wise) and cheers cheers cheers about the lotto! I cannot wait to hear what you won (my fingers and toes are crossed for the moolah).

I too am a freelance bird--that is I was--until yesterday when I started my first 9-5 job ever! I've got to put my time in at this job but as soon as I can I'm gonna get back on the other side of the tracks where you can have months off at a time if you so choose-not 10 friggin vacation days a year.

Holy shit that's great news! I too have always wanted to have my own cafe... Anyway I really, really hope you win the 100,000– you deserve it ! (p.s. I would definitely become a regular at your restaurant)

Holy fracking crap. You are a goddess. This is THE most beautiful burger, vegan or otherwise, that I have ever seen. It is a towering testament to perfection and I am starving. It really does sound and look perfect and if I'm ever in your part of the world I will be your biggest customer.

Congrats on deciding to open your own business by the way, that is AWESOME!

I am so with you about the freelance life, I can't stand the thought of working a 9 to 5 in an office, and luckily, I haven't really had to yet. Let's hope I never have to!

Sweetie, you are a godess...but you knew that. While I too, would like a Fucking amazing vegan cheeseburger and made by you of course...can you take some constructive criticism? The cheese oozing onto the plate, not so appetizing....and the lettuce is all to 1 side.....and the bun top looks squished and lumpy...think food stylist....but all in all it sounds delish

The burger looks outstanding. Well done. I would love it with some sweet potato fries.. baked fries! Breakfast (tofu scramble?) is a great option anytime of the day too. And kick-a** coffee with soycreamer. I hate not being able to drink coffee outside my house expect at a few random coffee shops or Starbucks.

PS I found 2 heads up pennies today... I got my wish when I got good news about a family member I was worried about, so I'm sending the luck of the other your way. 100 for the vegan restaurant!! Good luck.

Wow your burgers do look really meaty. Whoa! and I thought i was excited when I read that you were writing a book, and now yor opening your own restaurant!! Congrats I can hardly wait for both your book and restaurant which I think will both be a success. Congrats! and Good look on the prize wheel! (ps I like it when my cheese is oozing and all over the place ;) )

Goddamit, I haven't eaten all because we are going to a big party tonight (which is idiotic since there will probably be almost nothing we can eat) and I see THAT burger? If it tastes half as good as it looks, it will kill.

We have a vegan tapas bar in our servery at Pembroke College in Cambridge England, it's not all you can eat but we are vegan society accredited and pretty popular with meat eaters as well! I posted an entry on my food blog showing photos and stats of the tapas bar:

That burger does look good, despite the fact that I am partial to a good hearty whole wheat type bun. Best of luck on your new venture, and your lottery draw. Crossing my fingers for a big number! :)-K

Are you really publishing a book? ahhhhhh dreams do come true. I hope all of your faux cheese recipes are in it!! Do you have one for vegan parmigiano? All the ones I find are not too appetizing. Esp if I am feeding it to non vegan Italians

I make vegan burgers for a restaurant in Olympia, washington. I don't know what you put in yours but might I suggest bulgar wheat. Adds a bit of texture. My burgers have wheat gluten in them to make them chewy. I tried a gluten free version but I hated it! :)